Employee Insights Volume 13: What to do if you have a gap in your work history
At some point, most of us have had some time off from full time employment. Whether it was a layoff, resignation, or a temporary assignment coming to its completion, at some point, we will be back in the hunt! Whichever the reason, that gap will need to be addressed at some point during your interview as well as your resume. While there is nothing innately wrong with taking an extended period off of work, it does raise valid questions even concerns on the employer’s behalf.
While the specifics to your time off aren’t always relevant, the main thing to keep in mind is to be able to provide a genuine reason along with any details on how you kept your skills active.
Ultimately, being able to confidently talk about your gap of employment and what you did during that time highlights you as a marketable candidate. Keep in mind, prior to being met for an interview, you are just another potential candidate. Employers are looking for someone with the most relevancy, and that includes the last time you performed the job. Are your skills as relevant as someone who is still actively working? Will you need more training than someone without a gap? Why is your pay comparable to someone who doesn’t have those gaps? These are the thoughts going through employers’ minds.
Todays masterclass breaks down the top 4 things you can do in your best interests to mitigate the risk of being overlooked due to a gap.
Address the gap on your resume!
The last thing you need is a manager wondering and guessing what you were up to professionally during that time. Unless told otherwise, the assumption is that you were not working, collecting unemployment.
GAP
Unemployed
03/24- 05/24
Online classes
Take a course!
If you find yourself unemployed, there are many classes you can take online to keep your skills active while you land your next job. Many of these courses are free of charge and even provide certificates upon completion. This may even result in higher wages that line up with your newfound skills.
Complete a temporary assignment
Temporary assignments are a great way of keeping the income flowing into your account while searching for full time opportunities. Make sure you list them all in the event a manager is asking about gaps on your resume. Even if the temporary role isn’t relevant to your main skills, it shows initiative and responsibility on your behalf.
Volunteer Work
Similar to completing an assignment, volunteer work demonstrates your proactiveness and ability to work with a team in a project oriented fashion. Volunteer work can be just as intense and require much attention to detail depending the sensitivity of the work.
When it comes down to it, employers are looking for readiness and willingness to work! Taking the initiative and staying active in the job market despite not being gainfully employed can help you stand apart from the competition and get you back on the road to your next full time employment venture.
Does this sound like a situation you’ve been in before? Not sure how to go about your net interview and worried about the “GAP question”? FLAG’s recruiters are actively trained on educating candidates on ho to answer these tough questions as well as illustrate to clients why you might be a strong fit despite the gap in your work history. Gaps on your resume are not the end of the world, but not being able to explain yourself can make it feel that way.
Call today and see how we close the “gap” between you and your next job!